Obstacle

Mark cried without sound.

Poker face. No grimace.

Just two stray tears leaving the corners of his eyes.

One from each eye.

Soundless.

Because boys don’t cry.

—

Because a man provides.

Stability. Direction. Solutions. Safety.

A man endures.

Because if he doesn’t, what use is he?

He was a rock because he had been told to be one.

Understanding. Patient. Supportive.

»Useful.«

—

He smiled and said, “It’s alright.”

Even when something inside him broke.

He kept going.

Impedimentum via est.

Because one day he would die. And that day must have meant something.

That was what they told him.

That was what he did.

—

So he wiped his face.

Smiled.

Poker face.

And carried on.

It’s alright.

-ck